He was impressive winning the Wyong Magic Millions Classic a fortnight ago and the Peter & Paul Snowden-prepared Sovereign Fund ($1.70) would not have lost any admirers saluting by over three lengths at Doomben on Saturday.
The son of Capitalist led from barrier to box to easily defeat Mishani Renegade ($9 with Playup), with Sunsource ($2.45) a further three quarters of a length back in third.
It was only a four-horse field, but the two-year-old put them to the sword and will now look towards the $2 million Magic Millions Classic in on January 14.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden saw the Doomben contest as a perfect lead-up for the upcoming juvenile feature on the Gold Coast.
“Obviously the race fell away to a degree but just to have him up here now, settled in, great pre-parade was excellent,” Snowden said.
“It’s just a run we needed to tick the box with, it’s a perfect lead up into the next fortnight where it’s going to be his grand final.”
Two-year-olds are always a fickle bunch, and only a couple of months ago Snowden did not foresee that his colt would be this far along. After trying a few different approaches at home, he has since come on in leaps and bounds.
“Probably six or eight weeks ago to think that we’d be sitting in this position with this horse I would think it was highly unlikely,” Snowden said.
‘What he was was an immature colt who did a lot wrong. Very anxious and very timid around in between other runners and we’ve concentrated on that for the first group of two-year-olds in September.
“He was very new and very raw and we’ve tinkered with some gear and we’ve purposely put him in those vulnerable positions at home and in trials.
“The improvement keeps building, he keeps lifting the bar. You’ve got to be impressed with what he’s done there.
“(It’s a) different race totally altogether in a fortnight, we just need to draw a gate and hopefully he can go a long way and run well.”
Jockey Jamie Kah was equally effusive about her mounts development and believes the best is yet to come.
“He’s a very cool, casual sort of colt. It would’ve been nice if something challenged him today, I think he really would’ve dug in deep,” Kah said.
“Obviously it was nice getting the win with him. I think it will go a long way for his attitude, he’s got a terrific attitude.
“He gives me that feel, I think there’s a lot under the bonnet still.”
Sovereign Fund has been tightened in to second-favourite at the $6 quote for the 2YO Magic Millions Classic to be held on January 14 with stablemate Empire Of Japan the $5 favourite.
